I am off this weekend. I don't know if I'm going to the show or not, but if anyone would like to hit up some local brookie streams, I'd be glad to meet up and take you into the sprawling hills of Lancaster County!

Stagger_Lee wrote:is there a big difference in the two or are they both the same?

The show in Somerset has been running for many years and is considerably larger with more booths and seminars. It is also further away (for us center state guys) and tougher traffic etc. The Lancaster Show is, I think, in it's third or fourth year and growing. I love the Somerset show but it's a tough slog for a day trip and I usually go only once every few years.

Trying to set some time for either but is there a big difference in the two or are they both the same?

It's the same travelling show. So the basic set up is the same. You've got a floor with vendors. Lodges selling trips, fly shops selling gear, all the equipment makers hyping their latest stuff, organizations like TU trying to sign you up, fly tiers ringing the place doing little demo's and selling flies. There are casting pools where you can take any rod you want and play around with it, and at certain times there are scheduled casting demo's by the pro's. In separate rooms there are presentations about techniques, places, etc. You can also take casting classes with experts on a paying basis.

Somerset is MUCH bigger. Many more vendors, much better deals and show specials, many more tiers, etc. It's one of the biggest shows in the country, been there for many years and is well established. And there is a fair bit of PA stuff there, as it's right next door in NJ and a lot of those fishermen travel to PA, NY, etc. Many PA shops will be represented, too.

Lancaster is much smaller. It's only the 3rd year of having a PA show, and 2nd year in Lancaster I think. Vendors sign up per show, so it's still gaining it's footing. But the presentations and the like will be more geared towards PA.

I went to Lancaster last year, and it was cool and all, but nowhere near the size of Somerset. But it was closer and easier to get to, and less crowded.

Spent all day Saturday at the show last year and really enjoyed it. I'm hoping to go Saturday again this year. Being only 10 minutes away it's kind if hard to ignore. My highlight last year was a chance to meet and chat with Bob Clouser and watch him tie his Deep Minnow pattern. Also, talking with Mike Heck and Ed Shenk was a great opportunity as well. If you have the time I would recommend you attend the show.

I'd be up for breakfast, have no clue what's in the area, I'm staying at the hotel, so something within walking distance would be cool. Sas, your local, where can we get some eggs? I'm sure the hotel does breakfast, but it probably costs 20 bucks!